From:
Sunday, August 18, 2024 | 6:01 a.m.
Ashley Chase | For TribLive
Keystone Oaks players warm up before a 2019 game against Beaver Falls.
Steve McCormick has worked to make every member of the Keystone Oaks football team versatile.
With only 30 players on the roster, the Golden Eagles can’t afford many specialists, and McCormick wants to make sure injuries don’t have catastrophic consequences.
That’s why the Golden Eagles have learned to play multiple positions. McCormick said this is the smallest team the school has had during his 20 years as head coach and assistant.
“When one player is injured, you usually have to sub out three players with a smaller roster,” McCormick said. “We hope we don’t have to do that too often.”
Keystone Oaks finished 6-5 last season and made the WPIAL Class 2A playoffs. The Golden Eagles finished the regular season with five wins in their final six games before losing to eventual champion Beaver Falls.
The Golden Eagles open this season on August 23rd away against Deer Lakes.
Keystone Oaks was an excellent defensive team last season, allowing just 11.4 points per game. During the Golden Eagles’ six conference games, they allowed just 56 points.
Keystone Oaks lost almost its entire secondary from last season. The Golden Eagles can rely on middle linebacker Nathan Rohe to lead the defense.
Roman Pellarin will anchor the defensive line. Sean O’Brien and Jack Hrivnak will contribute in the secondary.
On offense, the Golden Eagles will return running back Billy Bricker. He was the team’s second-best runner behind now-trained quarterback Dimajio Locante.
Veteran quarterback Brenden Quarles will take over the center position. Quarles will be asked to fill a role where the Golden Eagles get a lot of ground production from their quarterback.
Locante ran for over 1,200 yards last season.
“He got some playing time last season and showed some promise,” McCormick said of Quarles. “He’s a dual threat and can move more like a wide receiver. He’s smart and knows the offense.”
Keystone Oaks was placed in the Century Conference along with Carlynton, Charleroi, Seton LaSalle, Sto-Rox, Washington and Waynesburg.
McCormick says the team wants to take this season week by week, but he expects the Golden Eagles to find a way back to the postseason.
No matter how many players Keystone Oaks finishes the season with, McCormick is confident they will be ready for the challenge ahead.
“Give me my 11,” McCormick said. “I’ll put my 11 guys against anyone.”
Keystone Oaks
Trainer: Steve McCormick
Record 2023: 6-5, 4-2 in Class 2A Century Conference
All-time record: 461-453-37
STATISTICAL GUIDES
Passing by: Dimajio Locante*
26-54, 357 yards, 4 touchdowns
Rush: Location*
188-1,238 meters
Reception: Giovanni Hutchinson*
13-90 meters
* Completed
FAST FACTS
• Keystone Oaks will open the third week of conference play against Sto-Rox.
• Golden Eagles coach Steve McCormick was an assistant coach at Keystone Oaks for 15 years before taking the top job in 2022.
• The Eagles have won six or more games in every season since 2018.
• All three of Keystone Oaks’ nonconference games to begin the season will be on the road.
Tags: Keystone Oaks
